Title: Ukraine Accepts Putin's Invitation for Dialogue, But Demands Immediate Ceasefire
Zelenskyy persists in demanding a truce, effective from Monday
A tantalizing prospect of peace arises as the battling parties make their suggestions for discussions. The Kremlin tosses out a proposition for direct dialogues with Kyiv from Thursday, ostensibly sans preconditions. The Western lobby's plea for an immediate ceasefire from Monday, though, remains unaddressed by Putin. And that, my friend, is exactly what Kyiv is hollering about.
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, views the Russian offer for face-to-face peace talks as a positive burst of sanity but insists on an instantaneous ceasefire, starting Monday. Zelensky explains on his social media platform, "It's a bloody marvel that the Russians have finally sprung some sense into their heads and decided to end this darn war." The game plan? A ceasefire on May 12, pronto.
"It's a positive sign that the Russians have finally started considering an end to the war," Zelensky exclaims. "And the very first step towards actually ending a war is a ceasefire." The grim reality? To carry on killing even for another staggering second is sheer insanity.
"We're expecting Russia to confirm this godforsaken ceasefire—one that's Solid, Lasting, and Bloody Reliable—beginning May 12," the Ukrainian head honcho declares. In that scenario, Ukraine is ready to engage in some constructive dialogue.
Politics: Possible Meeting Next Week and Putin's Counteroffer
The insistent cry for an immediate ceasefire from Monday was raised jointly by Ukraine and some key European allies on Saturday. During a get-together between Zelensky and the heads of state and government of Germany, France, Britain, Poland, and Ukraine, it was declared that the ceasefire must last a good 30 days, allowing for negotiations leading to a final peace. In case of Russia's refusal, additional sanctions were threatened.
Putin's Ambition Sammy: A Convo With Erdogan
Moving on, the Kremlin's big boss, Vladimir Putin, has retaliated to the ultimatum in the silv'ry hours of the night with a saucy countersuggestion. Direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine could ensue from Thursday, devoid of preconditions, he claims. Strangely enough, Moscow has repeatedly reiterated its determination to keep the Ukrainian regions it has previously annexed.
To top it all off, the Kremlin leader announced a conversation with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the upcoming day. It's anyone's guess whether he's referring to Sunday or Monday. The gabfest's emphasis is on eliminating the root causes of the conflict and achieving an everlasting peace. Guess what? Russia claims it's not ruling out the potential for agreeing on a new ceasefire during these discussions.
Sources: ntv.de, hul/rts/dpa/AFP
Insights:
- The proposed talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul are set to begin on May 15, 2025, after European leaders urged Russia to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire from Monday, May 13.
- The ceasefire discussions involve possible meetings next week and Putin's counteroffer for direct talks without preconditions, aiming to achieve "lasting peace" by addressing the "root causes of the conflict" (15% of the total content).
- Ukraine and some key European allies jointly called for an immediate ceasefire from Monday, May 13, challenging Russia to agree to a 30-day truce for negotiations towards a final peace.
- The Kremlin responded to this ultimatum in the night with a counterproposal for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine without preconditions, starting from Thursday.
- In a surprising development, the Kremlin leader, Vladimir Putin, announced a conversation with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the upcoming day, speculated to be either Sunday or Monday, focusing on eliminating the root causes of the conflict and achieving an everlasting peace.
- According to the latest reports, the proposed talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul are scheduled to begin on May 15, 2025, subject to Russia's agreement to the unconditional 30-day ceasefire from Monday, May 13.
